Canada cracks down on ‘criminal tourism’ network; two Indians charged, 12 wanted

Canadian authorities have charged two Indian nationals and issued warrants against 12 others as part of a major crackdown on an alleged criminal tourism network linked to organized crime, as per reports. 

The action reportedly comes under a long-running investigation known as Project Jetsetter, which has led to charges against 46 individuals, while 164 suspects remain at large.

According to reports, the investigation targeted organized groups that allegedly traveled to Canada to carry out profit-driven criminal activities. The offences under scrutiny include large-scale retail theft, vehicle purchasing scams, vehicle financing fraud, staged insurance collisions, jewelry distraction thefts, and the theft and export of vehicles and other goods.

The two Indians charged in the case have reportedly been identified as Arshjot Singh Dhillon, 23, and Arman Sharma, 23. Police have also named 12 Indian nationals who are wanted in connection with the investigation.

As per reports, the authorities said the Financial Crimes Unit spent more than 5,000 investigative hours across nine separate investigations, uncovering over 200 incidents linked to criminal tourism. The alleged crimes resulted in confirmed financial losses exceeding CA$2.61 million in Ontario's Durham Region alone.

Project Jetsetter investigations reportedly date back to 2019 and have so far resulted in more than 1,440 charges. Police said the probe remains ongoing as investigators continue to identify additional suspects and incidents connected to the network.

As per reports, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officials described criminal tourism as a growing form of transnational organized crime that requires international cooperation to combat. Authorities noted that while individuals from several countries were implicated, the majority of those listed among the accused were Romanian nationals.